Windows Live services to cuddle with BlackBerry platform

Windows Live Hotmail for BlackBerry and Windows Live Messenger for BlackBerry …

Microsoft and Research in Motion (RIM) have a long history of working together. The deals between the two companies announced over the years even led to speculation in 2007 that Microsoft would buy out the Canadian-based wireless device company. The rumors never left the mill, but the collaborations have continued this year as well.

The most recent deal regards the integration of Windows Live services on the Blackberry platform, which was announced today but will only see fruition sometime this summer. More specifically, the agreement will result in BlackBerry smartphone customers gaining access to the mobile version of Windows Live Messenger and, using BlackBerry push technology, e-mails will be synced up in real time from a Windows Live Hotmail account. Furthermore, it will be possible to use both Windows Live services by signing into a Window Live account just once.

Windows Live Hotmail for BlackBerry will give customers the option to use a dedicated inbox for Windows Live Hotmail messages, or to keep all e-mails within a single inbox on their BlackBerry smartphone. HTML e-mail will be supported, along with graphics, links and contact photos. Windows Live Messenger for BlackBerry will allow for instant messaging including group chats, setting custom status messages, chat logging, showing a Display Picture, using 60+ emoticons, and even sending and receiving pictures and files.

The services will be available in multiple languages, but other than that, details have not been revealed. Are all you Blackberry users out there interested?